Saturday, June 13, 2009

We have some new updates on Tami from Seattle where she is preparing for her possible transplant! Tami has undergone tests almost every day that she has been in Seattle. The doctors need to make sure she is well enough to undergo the procedure. Luckily, Tami's last test will be this week.

If the donor also passes all his health screening tests, Tami will begin chemotherapy on June 23rd. The chemotherapy will prepare Tami's body to receive the donation.

Unfortunately, some of Tami's new medications are making her not feel well. Hopefully, the doctors will be able to help but the medications the doctors give her are necessary.

Yesterday, Tami had a Fatburger for lunch. I know no matter how bad I feel, a burger always makes things not so bad.:)

Tami has had several visitors since relocating to Seattle and other family members arrived a few days ago to be with her while she undergoes her testing, chemotherapy, and recovery. I know having her family around her must be comforting. I'm sure it is a scary time for Tami, but also a relief that a donor has been found and all the testing is in preparation of the donation.

While Michelle underwent chemo several times and received a cord blood stem cell transplant, it failed several months later and her need for an adult marrow match became absolutely critical. Tragically a match was not found in time and Michelle passed away on July 25, 2009. If you are Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai or any combination of these ethnicities PLEASE join the Registry to find out if you are the one who can save a patient in need like Michelle. She was only 27 years old.

To date Project Michelle has now located matches for 4 other patients in need allowing them to receive a potentially life saving marrow transplant. By registering over 20,000 potential donors into the National Registry Project Michelle will continue to locate matches for other patients in need for decades to come.

Show Your Support

With a Cancer Sucks Wristband. They're great conversation starters to help spread the word about the National Marrow Donor Program

CLICK HERE to order one and to learn about our friend Roger who received a marrow transplant in March at MD Anderson in Houston, TX and is now recovering from Myelodysplasia.

This is Roger post transplant. After several agonizing days when the chemo hit him hard among other things he started losing his hair. Here he is beginning to feel better and in the process of having his head shaved.

Do You Know a Terminallly Ill Patient Who Wants to Get Married?

Wish Upon a Wedding is a new non-profit launching in 2010 whose purpose is to grant weddings and civil union ceremonies to patients facing life threatening illnesses.